Title Insurance - Where Does Your Dollar Go?

Title Insurance: As a homebuyer, the term is probably familiar - but is it understood? What is your dollar actually paying for when you purchase a title policy?

Title Insurers, unlike property or casualty insurance companies, operate under the theory of risk elimination. Title companies spend a high percentage of their operating income each year collecting, storing, maintaining and analyzing official records for information that affects title to real property. Their technical experts are trained to identify the rights others may have in your property, such as recorded liens, legal actions, disputed interests, rights of way or other encumbrances on your title. Before closing your transaction, the title company will proceed to clear those encumbrances which you do not wish to assume.

This theory is different from that of most other insurance where, for example, rates and anticipated losses are based on actuarial studies and premiums are pooled on the assumption that a certain number of claims will be made. The distinction is important: title insurance premiums are paid to identify and eliminate potential risks and claims before they happen. Medical and casualty insurance premiums, for example, are paid to insure against an unpredictable future event, knowing that risks exist and claims will occur. Furthermore, title insurance involves a one-time premium, paid when you close the real estate transaction, while property, casualty and medical insurance require regular renewal premiums.

The goal of title companies is to conduct such a thorough search and evaluation of public records that no claims will ever arise. Of course, this is impossible -- we live in an imperfect world, where human error and changing legal interpretations make 100% risk elimination impossible. When claims arise, professional claims personnel are assigned to handle them according to the terms of the title insurance policy.

As in all competitive business environments, rates vary from company to company, so you should make comparisons before deciding on a particular title company. Your real estate professional can help you do this. In addition, there are many helpful customer services provided by title companies which you and your real estate professional may find helpful to your transaction.

The issuance of a title insurance policy is highly labor-intensive. It is based upon the maintenance of a title plant, or library of title records, in many cases dating back over a hundred years. Each day, recorded documents affecting real property and property owners are posted to these title plants so that when a title search on a particular parcel is requested, the information is already organized for rapid and accurate retrieval. This investment in skilled personnel and advanced data processing represents a major part of the title insurance premium dollar.

Testimonials

11/2018

We bought our Kona home in November 2018 and are so grateful we worked with Lance and Kimi. We started working with them in the spring of 2018, when we visited Kona and Lance took us to see many properties and informed us about microclimates and different neighborhoods. Then we headed backed to Boston and Lance kept in touch with us about listings, the market, and the vog. One time he texted us a picture of a gorgeous clear day, and a few days later he texted a picture of a voggy day, saying he wanted us to see that too - that's the kind of people Lance and Kimi are, honest and upfront. Once we found a home their guidance and hard work were absolutely indispensable to us. Great negotiating skills, responsiveness to our many questions and concerns via text, email and Skype, and through the entire closing process holding our hands and digging up and/or checking all documents with our best interests in mind. There was so much to keep track of and so much we weren't even aware of that needed to be checked, we are beyond grateful that we worked with Lance and Kimi. They are experienced, knowledgeable, efficient, thorough, professional, and kind.
You can't go wrong with Lance and Kimi!

Denise & Joe

2/19/2019
Lance, we love that your client has an agent who cares about them the way you do.
Love the idea of sharing the shifting market guide this way, and love even more your commitment to guiding and advising your clients through the buying/selling process. We are grateful to be your partner!
Yours truly
Keeping Current Matters Charlotte P. H.

8/31/2018
What an outstanding experience we had with Lance Owens and Kimi Nagatoshi!! We gave Lance our thoughts about what we might be looking for in a new home on Hawaii Island and he showed us quite a number of places that fit that description. We hadn't thought we'd actually buy on that trip -- we were really only trying to see what we could afford -- but with what Lance showed us, we ended up putting an offer in after only 3 days of looking. And then Kimi went to work helping us through the entire process of the inspection, counteroffers, and, ultimately, the purchase. It's our dream home and we have both Lance and Kimi to thank!
Karl and Mary

5/18/2016
Aloha Lance!
Thank you all for your “local kine” support of the Big Island Chocolate Festival this year. It was really very successful and your support helped us keep the ball rolling as we brought tickets in. I will let you know how much was raised for the schools, but wanted you to see this online news story that mentions your sponsorship. Hawaii 24/7 has quite a large readership. Thanks again!
http://www.hawaii247.com/2016/05/15/big-island-chocolate-festival-names-top-confections/
Julie Ziemelis-Owner Ziemelis Communications Integrated Communications Expert-PR

2/29/2016
In 15+ years of Hawaii Mortgage Company dealing with thousands of realtors, it is very rare when you come upon agents who really care and love what they do and want to make the transaction as wonderful as possible for all parties involved. Lance and Kimi go above and beyond for their clients and the mortgage professionals (like us!) who they are working with. In a world full of mortgage regulations, Lance and Kimi make sure to keep everyone on track of the timelines to ensure closing on time, which benefits both the sellers and buyers.
We are lucky to work with them and look forward to many more transactions together in the future!
Maura K. Shannon
Manager / Mortgage Loan Originator
NMLS #339190
Hawaii Mortgage Company
NMLS #232582
443 Portlock Road
Honolulu, Hawaii 96825
Tel: 808-988-6622
Fax: 808-988-7722
Maura K. Shannon